Bholanathji

Baba Bholanath – Sri Ramani Mohan Chakravarty joined in Ma’s lila in the beginning of the year 1909 when Shree Maa’s parents were anxiously on the lookout for a bridegroom for their eldest daughter who had just entered Her teens.

On the wedding day, the groom riding on an elephant started from the famous ‘Kasba Kali Mandir’ in a festive procession. They reached Kheora village where the entire village participated in the festivities.

During the marriage ceremony ‘Shubha Drishti’ ( an auspicious exchange of glances) forms a significant part of the ceremony, especially where the bride and groom have never seen each other before. When the so-called ceremony was to take place, Maa was found looking skywards watching many extra –terrestrial Beings who had assembled there! At the end of the ceremony, a famous Pandit of the village Shri Lakshimicharan Bhattacharya performed a Hawan (oblation to fire) who later, said to Bholanath, - “Son, you do not know what jewel you are taking home.”

Immediately after their marriage, Bholanath had to return to his place of employment leaving Maa in the care of his elder brother Revati Mohan and his wife Pramoda Devi at Sripur, now in Bangladesh. Soon afterwards, Bholanath lost his job.
Maa was already at the place of Bholanath's elder brother. However, Bholanath, without a job did not want to be a burden on his brother. So he stayed on in Dhaka looking for a suitable placement. Almost four years later he got a permanent one as a law clerk in the Settlement Department of the Estate of Nawab of Dhaka at Ashtagram in 1913.

To understand this period of Ramani Mohan's life fully, one must go deeper in to the causes of his struggle for the settlement and link them to the Divine Mother's Kheyal that was to unfold after some years. It is important for the understanding of Ramani Mohan's gradual detachment to things material to prepare himself for the journey to attain the state of Bholanath hood (Shiv -O-Aham or the ultimate realization of his oneness). It was the Kheyal of the Divine Mother that Ramani Mohan burned his own ego and shunned the search for impermanent material security of his own will and his own effort, to develop spiritual self esteemed and willfully surrenders himself to the Supreme the Divine Mother. Maa chose to play the role of a perfect housewife during this period although She remained in her own Bhava (a state of Divine enchantment) at times during and between her household chores.

Bholanath's association with Ma in this world lasted for almost thirty years.

This period of their lila can roughly be divided into three phases.

The first phase begins from the time of marriage in 1909 when Maa was only about twelve years ten months old and ends till Her Bhavas started manifesting at Ashtagram in 1914. Ma was then about 18. During this period Baba Bholanath looked upon Her as a little girl growing and became charmed by Her super qualities - simplicity, truthfulness, obedience, hard work and Her child-like innocence. He was indulgent and affectionate and at the same time protective towards Her.

In the second phase Maa's Sadhan -lila began and continued on an extensive scale, manifestation of Her various 'Bhavas' during Kirtan, and also the various Kriyas that took place in Her, amazed Bholanath. He was wonder-stuck, and even overawed at these various spiritual yogic Kriyas in Maa's body and a unique halo around Her. When Bholanath tried to hold back Maa's balance-less body during these bhavas, he too used to get transformed by Her touch. Some people believed that Maa underwent fits. When this news reached Maa's parents, they wrote a letter to enquire if she would require medical attention. Bholanath, true to his character, replied in the negative and said Maa was perfectly all right. There was no illness and that all the symptoms were spiritual.

Bholanath expressed his concern for Her by repeatedly pointing out that Maa's Diksha had not taken place. Once Bholanath and Ma's eldest cousin brother Nishikant Bhattacharya asked Maa 'Who are you? She replied in a low voice: Purna Brahma Narayan; Her form at that time was such that it held all spellbound. Bholanath ventured to enquire further, 'If you are 'Purna Brahma Narayan' then who am I? Maa's reply was: Mahadev' Again asked Maa if She had been initiated. She replied, "According to your views, whatever was must has happened in the night of Jhulan Purnima."

Thereafter, they pressed Maa to prove what She uttered about Herself. At that She made Bholanath sit next to Her and placed Her palm on his head. With the chanting of the pranav, he became absolutely still in padmaasan. He went into a state of deep trance. This state continued for several hours. Janaki Babu present there pleaded with Maa to bring Bholanath back to normalcy. Maa again placed the palm of Her hand on his head. Bholanath slowly returned to his normal condition. However , he was sorry to return to this plane. He said- - "The state in which he was inexplicable in words." Maa thereafter indicated that He at that time was in the state of 'Mahadev' Himself.

The third phase of his relationship with Maa Bholanath – the guardian turned into a devoted disciple. Bholanath had received his diksha from Maa. He was also aware of the divine nature of Maa as his Guru. In his inner most heart he was entirely devoted to Her, but on the other hand he being the head of the family, the question of obeying his wife who was his Guru, was an abnomal situation from the worldly point of view. There he found himself in a some what awkward position.

After Bholanath’s diksha, Maa sent him to various places for tapasya, giving proper instructions and guidance. He too like a boy would laugh up his sleeve and carry out the commands of Maa with affection. This relationship of Guru Sisya is unique which does not happen in jiva-jagat(mortal world). A strict disciplinary regimen under the guidance and watchful eyes of the Divine Mother, helped Bholanath – the aspirant – gradually advance to the ultimate.

The tenure of Bholanath's job with the Settlement Department at Bajitpur ended. He came to Dhaka with Maa. He was planning to go away to look for another job when Maa told him to wait for three days more. Almost from no where, came an emissary on behalf of one of the biggest estates of Dhaka city, belonging to Nawabjadi Piari Banu, for a caretaker's job of its Shahbagh Garden, for Bholanath. Following this, Maa and Bholanath shifted to Shahbagh.

It was at Shahbagh that Bholanath showed a rare skill of striking a chord between his job and his spiritual pursuit with Maa almost totally engrossed in Kirtan, bhajan and puja. It is here that Maa actually started revealing Herself to the public. Bholanath was extremely kind -hearted and welcomed every one warmly. At that time he was the sole organizer of all activities and programmes. Initially Kirtan performed there was nearly a private affair. But, soon it started drawing crowds as word of the unique feeling of the participants in the event, fast spread among the people living far and near. Bholanath welcomed the crowds and never felt disturbed by them. He also acted as a medium through which the crowds could approach the unapproachable Super Being - Shree Shree Ma. The devotees regarded him as their head.

Shahbagh Kirtans soon noticed a highly devoted father-daughter duo among them. The daughter, Gurupriya, caught the eyes of Maa the very moment she first entered the dwelling of Maa and Baba Bholanath. Gradually, she became a universal Didi who started performing much of Bholanath's role as a constant attendant and companion to Maa, bringing some relief to Bholanath to spend more time in reaching nearer to his inner self. It was here that Bhaijee first came to Maa. Bholanath had taken a natural liking to Bhaijee whom he trusted immensely.

Bholanath performed all rituals of worship meticulously. Bholanath organized a large scale puja of Maa of a different kind with the help of Bhaijee, who had decided to celebrate Maa's birthday anniversary with Matri Puja with attended religious paraphernalia creating special mantras for Matri Puja, Dhyan, offering of flowers and Pranam. Looking back to this great event, few will disagree that it was a job so well done that it set a new tradition to all Maa's devotees to worship Her, following the same rituals and mantras till now and, maybe for all the time to come. The first Matri Puja by Bholanath reached to such a level of perfection that Maa went into a deep trance during the puja, and the Samadhi lasted for hours even after the puja, with streaks of light mildly glowing like a hallow around Her.

Siddheshwari, a place near to Shahbagh has a very significient role in the life of Baba Bholanath. One early morning Maa and Bholanath visited this place. A very strange incident took place here. Maa did not give any explanation regarding this incident. Maa in fact, placed Her hand in the mud below near the tree and slowly Maa's hand went deeper and deeper piercing the hard earth. Bholanath, afraid of the consequences, hastily pulled Maa's hand out and with the hand oozed out warm red water from the earth hole. Maa then asked Bholanath to put his hand inside the same hole, which was thus created. He did as he was told. He pulled out something from the hole, which he threw away into the nearby pond. This incident was shrouded by mystery. However, it was felt that it was some how connected with Bholanath himself. Later on, twenty-two and half inch square platform was built on that spot.

In 1930, he came to Ramna Ashram and took the responsibility of performing daily puja of Ma Kali, Bholanath also did the pratishta (installation ceremony) of many deities - the installation of Ashtadhatu murti of Annapurna, the silver murti of Vishwanath at the Ramna Ashram at Dhaka, the Shivaling at Siddheshwari as per detailed instruction given by Maa directly to him.

One day while mediating in Ramna Ashram, Bholanath had a vision of a headless Kali. After it was mentioned to Maa, She sent him to Tarapeeth to do Sadhana. It was here that he attained certain Siddhis. It was here that he had an unusual experience and in his ecstasy he ran out chanting Maa Maa. It was over here, he had darshan of Tara Maa inside the Temple just before the Deity was given 'Shayan' - the head and the crown were removed for the night and again placed on the murti in the next morning. It then dawned on him that this was the vision he had seen of the headless Kali and that is why Maa had sent him here.

Maa entrusted Baba Bholanath the most delicate responsibility of giving deeksha to the truth seekers. Thus he was the first Ashram Guru in Shree Shree Anandmayee Sangha. He used to give Diksha in presence of Ma and keeping himself behind he used to point out his disciple towards Ma and said " She is your all in all." He carried on his enormous responsibility till he was alive. After his demise, this delicate power was given by Ma to Her mother - Sw. Muktananda Girijee and after her departure in 1970, She did not allow any one from the Sangha to carry this responsibility. Instead, she introduced the system of 'Acharya' thereafter.

On 2nd June 1932, Maa accompanied by Baba Bholanath and Bhaijee left for the unknown. The Divine Mother's three-member team landed at Dehradun in June 1932. Another chapter of Maa's and Bholanath's life opened with this historic journey.

Maa directed Bhaijee towards the village of Raipur on the eastern fringe of the towm. Bholanath and Bhaijee was asked to stop near an old Shiva Temple which was known as 'Kaumadeshwar Mahadev' and situated on a small hill top surrounded by forest. While Ma camped at the temple premises, Bholanath used to pass most of the time inside the Shiva temple doing Tapasya. The site soon became Ma's first Ashram outside East Bengal (presently Bangladesh).

This was the beginning of Maa's ceaseless journey through the length and breadth of the country, spreading the message of eternal love and peace and devotion to God among the people, irrespective of their caste, creed, language and religion. Ma covered almost all holy places (Tiraths) mentioned in Puranas ( Hindu Scriptures). Some times Bholanath accompanied Maa, on other occasions he would remain recluse in his own Sadhana in places like Uttarkashi, Badrinath, Gangotri, Jwalamukhi etc. , engaging himself there in deep meditation for days and sometimes months and years together.

At Uttarkashi Bholanath meditated for three long years. He set up a Kali Temple on the bank of the river Bhagirithi in 1935. He established Kali Murti in that temple which he himself carried all the way from Dehradun to Uttarkashi on foot. Today it has become a land-mark Temple in the sprawling holy town.

Most magnificent was the 'Kailash Yatra' of Maa and Baba Bholanath with a big party. It was the Manas Sarovar where Bholanath having bathed in it heard the Sanyas mantra emanated from Ma's lips. It was here at Manas Sarovar that Bholanath had been given the name of 'Tibbatananda Tirth'.

In 1938 when Kumbha was held at Haridwar, Maa was staying at the 'Peet Kuti' of Dr. Pant a Civil Surgeon. Bholanath always overjoyed such occasions. On April 14th 1938 on the day of main Kumbh Snan, he took with him a large crowd of devotees. Here the 'Naga' Sanyasis who were present, bathed Bholanath amidst great enjoyment. What divine bhava they saw in him is unknown. When Bholanath related this to Maa later, She said: " You do not realize who you are but others recognize you for what you are !"

Hen Bholanath returned after the Kumbh snan of 24th April he had very high fever and severe pain in the stomach. It was an attack of small pox. Maa had taken his entire service on Herself. During the last few days, Bholanath was like a child calling out to Maa in his distress. He would not allow Her to leave the room even for a little while.

In his last days with great agony, he kept calling out to Maa again and again. She fed up with Her hands after taking from it Herself and thus fulfilled His wish of taking his first 'bhiksha' from Maa's hands. In the evening when he complained of feeling cold and chilly, Maa covered him up with a new saffron coloured cloth.

On Baisakh Shukla saptami tithi, 6th May 1938 at night at 9:15 P.M. while gazing steadily at Maa and yearning for Her like a child, he kept calling Her 'Maa' all the while listening the Kirtan and repeating his sanyas mantra the end came smoothly. He was about 57 years old at that time. Maa had observed that the sanyas mantra was going on continuously internally. It was only when Maa pointed it out to the Doctor that everyone realized Bholanath had achieved his ultimate supreme goal. The Sisya had become One with his Guru- Maa. His body was emerged in the Ganges Neeldhara, Haridwar, according to the rites due to a sanyasi.

In conclusion, we can only state that the lila of Maa and Bholanath is beyond our understanding. It is beyond the mental plane. In order to realize the significance of the play, She once hinted that it was She Herself playing both the roles. As the Divine Being, She is free to play any role or all the roles in Her unrestricted freedom. She was a child bride and Bholanath the guardian, She was the Sadhak and he the protector and finally he the Sisya and She was the Guru.

Maa said ----- " The initiation of Bholanath, his fervent urge for meditation, and bhajan, and complete renunciation (sanyas) were a series of events. Then came the Sublime and Supreme Joy and in his own Reality he related the story concerning himself in repeated loud out bursts, telling all in various ways that this was the only path leading to all embracing benediction."